Upgrades set for Williams, Mariucci Arenas

The Minnesota Vikings and Timberwolves aren't the only teams that are sprucing up their homes these days. The University of Minnesota announced Thursday that it will install new scoreboards and sound systems in Williams Arena and Mariucci Arena this summer.

Men's basketball coach Tubby Smith has been clamoring for upgrades to Williams Arena. The new, bigger scoreboard will be accompanied by an LED fascia board that rings the arena. The same will be installed at Mariucci Arena, home to the men's hockey team.

The improvements were funded by a new seating priority plan that added charges to the cost of a season ticket. Some fans were upset by the new fees, but Northwestern is the only school in the Big Ten that doesn't use such a program.

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